Alabama players and coaches were not specific about all the changes, but adjustments have been made in the program's Rose Bowl preparations, presumably in response to Michigan's sign-stealing scandal.
The most significant modification, according to players, involves the prohibition of individual players taking iPads to their rooms. Instead, film reviews now occur collectively as position groups in a shared room. Players were notified of this preparation adjustment approximately two weeks ago in preparation for the Rose Bowl matchup against Michigan.
“We just have to go to a different location to watch the film, but we’re all still watching the film as we would for a normal game,” Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker said during a Thursday media appearance.
Booker was unsure if the change was made due to the sign-stealing scandal that Michigan was involved in earlier this season. However, Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond explicitly linked the change to Michigan's sign-stealing accusations and highlighted Alabama's utilization of Catapult for practice film and film review as the rationale behind the adjustment.
"The app where we record film off of practice and stuff like that, and they were I guess like looking at other people’s play calls, their hand signals the first eight games or something like that," Bond said Thursday. "So we’re able to watch film with the team, but personally, we can’t watch film. I don’t know, some reason with Michigan stealing signs. I’m not really too keyed in on that."
Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was questioned multiple times about the change in film study on Wednesday but sidestepped the questions giving very little details on the matter.
"I'm not going to get into the whole film, sign-stealing - I'm not talking about it," Rees said when asked about players talking about the preparation changes. "Like I said, our job is to give our players the best chance to have success on the field."
Crimson Tide players mentioned that they didn't pay significant attention to the sign-stealing scandal throughout the season as it wasn't relevant to them. Currently, their primary focus is on preparing for the Wolverines, with a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game at stake.
"When we get on the field, they’re going to have to play us anyways, so all that sign stealing is not going to help them," Bond said.
No. 4 Alabama and No. 1 Michigan will square off in Pasadena, Calif. on New Year’s Day at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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